Acquisition Resources

Aegis Group plc, the media communications and market research group, has announced that it has signed agreements to acquire the consolidated Ion Global network from CDC Corporation.  Ion Global specialises in digital marketing solutions with businesses in Seoul, San Francisco and Hong Kong.  The value of the net assets to be acquired is approximately £500k.

Each of the three operations has developed different capabilities and each will be integrated into existing local and regional Isobar operations.  

Ion Global’s largest business is in Seoul, and was established in 1998.  Its services cover mobile, web strategy, site construction, device user interface and graphical user interface (GUI) consulting and design.  Korea has the highest broadband connectivity in the world and is at the forefront of mobile technology development. As a world leader in mobile user experience and GUI, Ion Global Korea will retain its branding.

Ion Global was set up in Hong Kong in 1995.  It provides services in the areas of web strategy, site construction, interactive marketing and software customisation.  The business will be rebranded as wwwins Consulting, Isobar’s award-winning agency, with the existing management, led by Marcus Crowley, reporting into wwwins CEO, Jean Lin.  Following the acquisition, wwwins Consulting Greater China will operate from offices in Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong with 200+ people.

Ion Global in San Francisco will be merged with Molecular, Isobar’s successful US digital consulting arm, headquartered in Boston with offices in New York and San Francisco.  Both businesses specialise in internet consulting and user experience offerings.   The business will be rebranded as Molecular and will establish a powerful West Coast presence.

Robert Lerwill, ceo of Aegis, said “This is a very smart piece of expansion for Isobar.  Korea, Hong Kong and the West Coast are all trendsetting hubs for digital innovation.  With the addition of Ion Global, we gain a bigger foothold in each of these three centres, and will be able to develop new skills and offers throughout our global network.”